Chichen Itza Facts:
A Majestic Maya Archaeological Site in Yucatan, Mexicoarticle courtesy of Hacienda
Chichen Resort within the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza,
Yucatan, Mexico.

The
Maya name: "Chichen Itza" means " at the edge
of the Itza's well." This derives from chi',
meaning "mouth" or "edge", and ch'e'en, meaning
"well." Itzá is the name of an ethnic-lineage group that
dominated the northern peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico
prior to the Spanish Conquest. It is believed that
"Itza" derives from the Maya itz, meaning
"magic," and (h)á, meaning "water;" Itzá
means: "Water Magicians." Archaeologists today believe
that this majestic Mayan city rose as a prominent power
towards the end of the Mayan Early Classic Period (600
AD) and current scholastic data places Chichen Itza's
fall around AD 1000. Ancient Maya created an
intimate relationship between
Yucatan endemic venomous snakes
and their cultural traditions, including their majestic
architectural designs and with their Cosmo-vision.

Chichen Itza Ancient Maya Urban Design:

The impressive urban design found in Chichen Itza is
extraordinary well planned, ancient Maya builders created
clusters of pyramids and Mayan Temples
in sets of clusters. the vast Chichen Itza urban zone
extends far away from the area visited today by tourists,
Hacienda Chichen
Resort is not only a Colonial
landmark but part of this ancient city grounds.

The most visited cluster includes the
New Seven Wonders majestic Maya pyramid of Kukulkan. The
four most well known clusters of Mayan pyramids and temples
within the ancient city of
Chichen Itza are:

The
Great North Platform,
which includes Kukulkan Pyramid, Great Ball Court, Temple of
the Jaguars, Tempe of the Warriors, Thousand Columns
Market, Venus Platform, and to the north the Sacred Cenote
of Chichen Itza.

The Ossario Group,
which includes the Ossario pyramid,the Xtoloc
temple, and the cenote of the Xtoloc.

The Central Group, includes the Maya Observatory or El Caracol,
the group
of Las Monjas and La Iglesia, plus the
lovely Mayan temple of Akab Dzib.

Old Chichen or Chichen Viejo is
located at the far south end of Chichen Itza visited
zone. Old Chichen is not openned to the
public.

Chichen Itza
Facts: Temples within the visited Archaeological Zone:

CHICHEN ITZA
ARCHITECTURAL URBAN DESIGN:Some Maya pyramids were built to
reflect astronomical events. It’s no secret that the Maya
were advanced astronomers—what’s lesser known is that many great
Maya structures, such as El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcan)
pyramid at Chichen Itza, reflect astronomical events as well as
the importance ancient Maya gave culturally to a variety of
Yucatan snakes in their region.

During equinoxes, an undulating shadow called the “serpent”
slithers along the side of Kukulcan’s northern staircase. This
is caused by the angle of the sun hitting the nine main
terraces. Spring Equinox is the most notable Light and Shadow
effect along the staircase of this magnificent Maya pyramid.
Read More
Facts HERE,
but first
know these:

Most
Popular Day to Visit: March Spring
Equinox - Kukulcan Pyramiddisplays a
beautiful light and shadow image of (the Great
Snake) Kukulcan descending to Earth every Spring
Equinox, March 21st. Come experience such magnificent
event and stay at Hacienda Chichen Resort.

Now
Open to the Public: "Kukulcan Night Show," this night show is offered free to the
public for now.

NOTE:
Driving to Chichen Itza is safe and easy for anyone, a newly
updated free road takes visitors from Piste to Valladolid passing Chichen Itza
and the Hotel Zone of Chichen Itza, Please
view our map to get directions

WHERE TO STAY:Hacienda
Chichen Resortis
the ideal hotel to stay during your visit to
Chichen Itza, Yucatan, This hotel offers you a private entrance
to the archaeological zone from its own gardens and many quality
green services, mindful wellness activities and gourmet cuisine.
Come stay at least two nights to fully enjoy all what Chichen
Itza and Hacienda Chichen have to offer you!

Mayan Temples
academic explorations have confirmed that most ancient
Maya temples where built over former structures or a top large
platforms that grouped a set of structures, among the most
famous Maya pyramids and temples are:

* The Maya Observatory also known as the Caracol, in the south
cluster of Maya temples in Chichen Itza, is an impressive
building dedicated to the study of the skies by ancient Maya
astronomers, this Maya observatory is linked to the orbit of
Venus. El Caracol’s front staircase targets Venus’s most
northern position, and the corners of the building align with
the sun’s position at the summer solstice sunrise and winter
solstice sunset.

* Great Ball Courtis also within the Great
North Platform series of Mayan temples in Chichen Itza.
It is known as Pok-Ta-Pokin
Maya, and El Juego de Pelota in Spanish;
there are several smaller Ball Courts in this
archaeological site but the Great Ball Court at Chichen
Itza,
Yucatan,
Mexico, is the most impressive and larger in ancient
Mesoamerica, measuring 166 X 68 meters in length and two
long 12 meter high walls holding the two stone carved
ball rings representing the feather serpent. Read
here a real good article
about the Maya ballgame and its mythological roots.

* Kukulkan
Pyramid also known as El Castillo dominates the Great North
Platform Series; this Mayan temple is in harmony with
the
Mayan Solar Calendar in its numeric set of steps, platforms, and geometric
design. The Kukulkan Pyramid is a masterpiece of ancient
Mayan Cosmovision,
the pyramid has a ground plan of square terraces with
central stairways decorated with two feather
serpents
tails up and their heads resting at the ground. Only two
of the four sides of Mayan temple have been restored by
Mayan archaeologists. the north side of the pyramid is
where the amazing "light and shadow" coming of Kukulkan
(symbolized by the feather serpents) descends during an
equinox sunrise and sunset each year. Yaxkin Spa offers
guests a holistic Mayan experience:
KukulKan Ceremony based
on ancient
Mayan Cosmovision.

* Temple of the Warriors and the Group of the Thousand
Columns The archeological expedition and
restoration of these building was conducted by the
Carnegie Institute from 1925-1928, with Earl H. Morris as one of the key members of the
restoration. Chichen Itza's Temple of the Warriors
features sculpted feather serpent columns, (Yucatan
endemic venomous snakes) at its top
platform framing an impressive sculpture of the Chac
Mool used in ancient times as an altar for sacrifices;
the temples has an inner chamber covered with painted
stucco Mayan frescos (not opened to the public
nowadays). The Group of the Thousand Columns
connects with the Main Market complex, both part of the
Great North Platfom series which has many other Mayan temples and
platforms for visitors to enjoy during their visit to
Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.

* The Ossario
is a mid-size step-style pyramid within the Ossario
Group complex of Mayan temples found just south of the
Kukulkan pyramid series. In the late 1800sEdward H. Thompson excavated the Ossario pyramid and its cave in the late
1800s and found jade, pottery, human bones, and ancient
Mayan artifacts.

* The
Observatory temple or El Caracol, as it is
called in Spanish, is located at Chichen Itza's Central
Temples Group. A fascinating Mayan architectural
design, shaped similar to a modern Observatory structure.
The central cone building features doors and windows are
aligned to various astronomical events and for the
observation of the stars and planets movement; Mayan
astronomers had a detailed understanding of Venus, the
Sun, and the Moon as they traverses the heavens.

For detailed
information about the Maya Calendar System,
Cycles and Facts, please read the article The Maya
Calendar System, a brief introduction and facts about
the amazing multiple
Maya Calendar systems
based on the Sun, Moon, Venus, and our Planetary system
in relationship with the Cosmos.

* Las Monjas (Nunnery) is
one of the most notable Puuc style Mayan-temple structure at Chichen Itza; Las Monjas complex
represents the Terminal Classic buildings constructed in
the Puuc
architectural fashion within Chichen Itza, similar to
the designs found in Kabah, and Uxmal, Yucatan,
Mexico.
Early explorer August Le Plongeon revealed an older
structure within this temple. the Anexo Este building
constructed annex to this temple has a highly Chenes
Style decorated with many masks of Chac the Rain
God and serpents.

* Akab Dzib (Temple of the Obscure Writing) constructed to the east
of the Nunnery, showcases Mayan glyphs which gave it is
current "yet to be deciphered" name. Trace of
original red chac wall paint colors are still
observed in this Maya ruin that may be the oldest
building at Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.

* Old Chichen Complex or
Chichen Viejo is
only opened to archaeologists and is located adjacent to
Hacienda Chichen
private Mayan Jungle Reserve in the south region of
Chichen Itza. Many of Old Chichen temples feature the
Maya Puuc architectural design. The past ten years,
Dr. Merle Greene has
dedicated many summers to work recording many of the
Mayan stone-carvings in these Mayan temples; a lovely
collection of her original "rubbings" can be seen
by Hacienda Chichen guests at the hotel's Merle
Greene's Museum.

The Mayan
Calendar Systems:

Maya Calendar System, Cycles and Facts

Ancient Maya
time-keepers
designed a
highly advance
way of keeping
time
interlocking
three calendars
or
space/time
cycles; together
these Mayan
calendars form a
truly amazing
understanding of
the Cosmic
bodies
inter-relationships
and our Universe
of the Moon
orbiting the
Earth, planet
Earth orbiting
our solar
planet, and our
solar planet's
own path in our
galaxy the Milky
Way. Some Maya
Calendar facts:

Haab Mayan
Solar Calendar
has a cycle
of 365 days
divided into 18
months of 20
days, plus a
period of 5 days
left over at the
end of the year.
This short 5 day
month is called
“Uayeb,”
the resting of
the year.

The Sacred or
Long Count
Calendar
Together they
blend with the
larger Mayan
calendar to
create a
complete 52-Haab
unites of 18,980
days that record
the solar
system's own
space/time cycle

The most important calendar cycle for the Maya is
Tzolkin, a ritual calendar of 260 days also known as
the Sacred Almanac and J'Men Elder Mayan Priests
(Shamans) continue using its count to celebrate their
Mayan sacred rituals
and ceremonies.It
is composed of 13 months, each with 20 days.Every day in the 260 day calendar has a unique
corresponding position in time as well as in the
“Haab” or the solar 360 + 5 day Maya calendar.
Each day’s position in the calendars only repeats itself every
52 solar years.

Chichen Itza
Facts, Activities, Things to Do and Places to Visit:
Today's Maya
Eco-Cultural World

Chichen Itza Maya Pyramids, Temples and Archaeological Zone :

Chichen
Itza Archeological Zone: The ancient Maya
city of Chichen Itza has various clusters of Mayan
pyramids and temples scattered in a large area, over 500
hectares. The Maya pyramids and temples within the
"visited zone" include the fabulous temple of Kukulkan
(photo) and the Maya Observatory among the most
prominent. Click here to have full detailed information
about each area and temple found in Chichen Itza. 2015
New Night Light and Sound Show is now featured.

Chichen
Itza Eco-Cultural Vacation Packages and Hotel
Accommodations:

Chichen Itza hotels:
Hacienda Chichen Resort is the top recommended by most
International travel sites and visitors among the hotels
in the area, please view our
roomsand
rates pages and contact
us at: info@haciendachichen.com

Stay at Hacienda Chichen and enjoy many eco-cultural activities
and Maya traditions

Chichen
Itza Mayan Ceremonies and Maya Rituals:

Chichen Itza Maya Sacred Ceremonial Site: Ancient Maya
rituals and Cosmo-vision sacred ceremonies are still
performed by Maya Shamans (J-Men) and Wiseman in Chichen
Itza within the Hacienda Chichen vast Maya Jungle
Reserve. Please contact us to register / participate in
any of our Maya ceremony during the year 2012; also, you
may request a private blessing or Maya Ceremony.

Chichen
Itza Cenotes: The ancient city of Chichen Itza is
located in Northern
Yucatan,
an arid region where underground fresh water ways run
through it rather than rivers; such waterways form
natural sink holes called cenotes in Spanish.
There are two open cenotes in Chichen Itza's
archaeological zone, the most famous is the Sacred
Cenote, north of the Kukulkan Pyramid. Edward H. Thompson dredged El Cenote Sagrado, 1904 to 1910, and recovered
artifacts of gold, jade, pottery, etc.

Chichen Itza Wildlife Facts: Enjoying Chichen Itza's Flora and Fauna:

Chichen
Itza Fauna embraces travelers that
overnight at Hacienda Chichen in a magical way.
Enjoy all Chichen
Itza has to offer, including incredible bird-watching
and fauna sightseeing as you stroll the lush jungle like
gardens of Hacienda Chichen and Yaxkin Spa. Bring bring a pair
of bins to take a good look of various mammals,
birds,
reptiles, and many unique insect such as lovely
butterflies. Contact Hacienda Chichen Resort for a
special Chichen Itza Two Day Stay offer
here.

Chichen
Itza Maya Spa: Yaxkin Spa is in fact a true Holistic Mayan Spa Wellness Center
where you will experience Mayan healing traditions,
sacred holistic healing rituals, and a deep sense of
connection with Mother Nature. We recommend you
take the time and indulge your soul, mind and body with
an ancient Mayan holistic experience at Yaxkin Maya
Spa., where Mayan healers use only fresh organic grown
herbs and plants, oils, and skin care. This Spa is within Hacienda Chichen.

Chichen Itza hotels:
Hacienda Chichen Resort is the top recommended by most
International travel sites and visitors among the hotels
in the area, please view our
roomsand
rates pages and contact
us at: info@haciendachichen.com

Recommended Places and Visits near Hacienda Chichen and Yaxkin
Spa:

Balankanche
Caves - located just 6 Km. from the Hacienda Chichen
on the rural road to Xcalacoop. An ancient Maya
ceremonial site is a natural underground caves system
filled with domes and beautiful limestone formations.
Visitors comfortably can stroll in lighted passages
leading deep into the ceremonial caverns to a grant cave
vault where a huge stalagmite, resembling a Ceiba tree,
is the central feature of natural altar within the
enormous natural stone vault. This geological
formation was honored as the "tree of wisdom" by ancient
Maya and many ceremonial ancient vessels and offerings
to the Gods are still in view. Balankanche caves
passages end facing a waterway where purification rites
were performed. Visitors can enjoy the English narrated
history of the caves and their sacred ceremonial use.

Yaxunah
Mayan Site - located 20 Km to the south of Hacienda
Chichen, passing the rural road 180 to Piste you will
find the sign. This archeological site features
one of the largest found ancient Maya stone-paved roads
to Coba. Yaxunah in Maya means "Turquoise House."
Explore the beauty of its original carvings and
under-explored site. Yaxuna Maya temples are among
the highest pyramids of ancient Maya cities in the
Yucatan.

Ex
Balam - 60 Km from Hacienda Chichen taking the rural
road 180 to Valladolid, you will find this newly
reconstructed Mayan site. Ek Balam has an
impressive architectural features, some of them remade
by modern archaeologists, specially those found in the
Mayor Pyramid, Tomb of Ukit Kan Le'k Tok', this
is the largest structure known as the "Acropolis". This
pyramid features a 5 meter tall Jaguar's mouth carved in
stone and many winged Mayan Lords with various Maya
script and glyphs; from the top, you can clearly see
Chichen Itza. Ek Balam is a Mayan name that could
mean both "Black Jaguar" and "Star Jaguar" or "the
Jaguar of the Night" the most common English name used
in Wikipedia is "Black Jaguar."

Chichen Itza Facts: the
impressive Kukulkan Mayan Pyramid, an ancient Mayan temple became
one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient Mayan city
has been the most famous of all Mayan archaeological zones
in Yucatan, Mexico.

Today, Chichen Itza offers many Mayan
eco-cultural traditions:

We highly recommend you to stay at
least two night at Hacienda Chichen to enjoy and explore
this eco-friendly Spa resort's various eco-cultural activities
, including the nightly Light and
Sound Show at Chichen Itza after a short "siesta" in your
room or cottage terrace over viewing
our Maya Jungle
gardens. Visit our private Merle Greene Museumand Yaxkin Spa
unique Mayan Natural Cave, a purification ancient
Mayan ceremonial site, an original natural holistic
sweat-bath and cleansing
Zumpul-che ceremony, within Hacienda
Chichen ritual garden. Visit
www.yaxkinspa.com to
learn more!

Chichen Itza Facts and News: Hacienda
Chichen Resort had the honor to welcome China President
Xi Jinping during his Official Visit to Mexico.
Both Mexico President Enrique Peńa Nieto and China
President were joined by their wives and distinguish
guests, all of them spent the day in total privacy at
Hacienda Chichen, where they were served the Official
Farewell Gala. The event was a true success and a joyful
experience as they enjoy the beauty and comfort of our
suites, lush gardens, and the Colonial elegant ambiance
of our Main Colonial Mansion. The Hacienda Chichen
staff is proud to have had the opportunity to represent
Mexico's responsible sustainable tourism, excellent
hospitality, and friendly nature.

For further information view
Yucatan Adventure's Mayan
Ceremonies and Rituals Calendarafter the open
to the public free Mayan Equinox Ceremony, J-Men Mayan
Healer and J-Men (Shaman) will be offering the Zumpul-che
mystical rituals and Mayan Holistic Purification Ceremonies
(3 sessions) to small groups of participants, for
further information, booking, and price per person
registration,
click here.